Lone Star Longing (Hearts of Broken Wheel, #1)

by Fredrick, MJ

  This year, though, the Fourth coincided with Millie Drexler’s eightieth birthday and family reunion, so the town was a little more festive than usual. Lacey’s dad, Tony Davila, had suggested the town go buy a bunch of fireworks from the stand in Kimmel and set them off in the park. He also suggested they have picnics in the park ahead of the fireworks, everyone bringing their own food. Maybe if they’d planned ahead, they could have done a potluck, but as it was, everyone brought their own food, and some of the kids from the elementary school set up a lemonade stand.

  Now, the park in Broken Wheel was not what most people would think of as a park. It was an empty stretch of land across the street from the hardware store, with a couple of trees and a couple of picnic tables and open grills, and very little grass, since it hadn’t rained in some time, and no one had thought to water the grass they had put down when they decided to make the area a park.

  Beck thought he’d take his mother. They’d take some camp chairs and he’d even pick up some of the pie the diner was selling, some of the prepared picnic meals the grocery store was selling. That way no one had to put any effort into the plan.

  As he drove his mom into town, he looked at the temperature gauge and remembered why Broken Wheel usually didn't have a Fourth of July celebration. At almost six in the evening, the temperature hovered near a hundred.

  But it was a dry heat, and when the sun went down, the air temperature would cool.

  He had just gotten his mom situated when he heard his name, and he turned just in time to see Britt launch herself at him. He staggered a bit, catching her around the waist as she wrapped her arms and legs around him, buried her face in his neck.

  “Hey, Britt, it’s good to see you,” he said into her soft blonde hair, returning her hug a minute before extracting himself. “I heard you were in town.”

  “I didn't hear the same about you. I thought you were off seeing the big wide world.”

  “I’m taking a small break from that, for a while.” He cast his eyes toward his mother, who was ignoring them. Well, acting like she was ignoring them. He knew his mother better than that. “You in town for long? Have you seen anyone else?”

  “I kind of hoped to see some people.” She looked around the growing crowd. Well, not crowd because nothing was ever crowded in Broken Wheel.

  “You look great.” Her blonde hair was long and shiny, her blue eyes rimmed with just enough makeup to accent them. She didn't look any older than she had when she was cheering on the sidelines of the Kimmel football games. “What is it you’re doing now? I heard you’re some kind of a party planner or something?”

  “Yeah, I’m an event coordinator at Houston. It keeps me busy.”

  “You always were pretty organized, I guess.”

  “That has come in handy. You look great.” She tapped his bicep. “You’re not in the pit, or whatever, changing tires or any of that?”

  “No, I make adjustments with my brain, get someone else to take care of the brawn. You look great, too. City living suits you.”

  Something passed over her face that he couldn't identify. “Yeah, it sure is different from living here.”

  “Are you in town long?”

  “Just for the holiday weekend. Grandma wanted all her kids here for her big birthday, so I’ll be heading back Sunday after the festivities.”

  “Long drive.”

  “Other side of the planet,” she said with a sigh, looking around. “I don't remember ever having a Fourth of July celebration in town.”

  “No, we haven’t. Lacey’s dad thought that since we were going to have more people, we should just centralize our firework collections and have one big show in the middle of town.”

  “Well, that’s fun. I think it’s a good idea.”

  “Yeah, we’ll see. So what else is going on in your life? You get married or anything?”

  She took a step back, looking away and waving a dismissive hand. “No, no. Way too busy for a social life.”

  “I hear that.”

  She gave him a long look. “I don't really keep up with anyone anymore, and you’re the first person I’ve seen since I came back. How is everyone else doing?”

  He knew she meant Con, and he debated over telling her that Con had no intention of coming tonight. So he started listing everyone else. “Javi is working for Highway Patrol, Poppy is a teacher, Ginny is working at the diner, Sofia at the hotel, Lacey is doing home health and is pregnant. Con is still at the ranch.”

  “His dad is there, too, though, still?”

  “As far as I know.”

  She shook her head. “Those two didn't get along in the best of times. I can’t imagine how hard it must be for him now.”

  “Yeah, this isn’t the life he thought he was going to have.”

  She stiffened a bit at that, which wasn't his intention. But she had to know. She had known Con better than anyone else.

  Then she turned back to him after perusing the crowd again. “Did you say Lacey is pregnant? I didn't know she got married.”

  “She didn’t,” his mother chimed in then. “She got herself one of those Air Force guys who knocked her up and went overseas.”

  “Mom,” Beck said. “Nobody says ‘knocked up’ anymore.”

  “Wasn't there a movie called that? I saw it on television.”

  Britt laughed at that. “So what do you guys do for fun around here these days?”

  “We play washers at The Wheel House over on Sotol Road every Sunday. You should come join us.” Con could kick his ass if he knew Beck had invited her.

  She drew her chin in, her brow creasing. “The Wheel House?”

  “Yeah, it’s under new ownership, and she bought the lot next door, made it this great outdoor space. We have a lot of fun there.”

  “I would love to see everyone, but the big party is Sunday. I won’t be able to make it.”

  “Well, maybe we can figure something else out. Maybe we can get together another time at The Wheel House. What else does your family have going on? Any other events for us to work around?”

  “I’ll check and get back to you. Maybe we can all do something tomorrow? Is that enough time?”

  He wanted to tell her that Con had no intention of coming into town while she was here. He should tell her that so she wouldn't get her hopes up. Could he blame Con for not wanting to see her? Britt’s departure had devastated him, when he was his most vulnerable. No, he couldn't blame Con.

  “You keep in touch with Diana at all?”

  Beck shook his head. “No, when we went our separate ways, we put emphasis on separate. I don't even have contact with her friends.”

  “That’s a shame. I thought y’all were such a great couple.”

  “I’m a way different person now than I was then. We never would have made it.”

  “That happens to all of us. You grow and change. I’m not the same person I was when I left here.”

  “I don't think even the ones who stayed are the same people they were twelve years ago. Except Poppy. She might be exactly the same person.”

  Britt laughed again. “I can’t wait to see everyone. Look, here’s my number, get in touch with me if you can get everyone together. I should probably get back to my family, though.”

  “Absolutely,” he promised, taking his phone back after she entered her number.

  She rose up and kissed his cheek, then returned to her family, grouped together under one of the two trees in the park.

  “I guess I don't remember her.”

  “She was Con’s girlfriend.” Beck unfolded his camp chair and sat beside his mom.

  “Yes, I remember about that, but I don't think you really brought your friends out to the house.”

  “It wasn't that kind of house,” he said matter-of-factly.

  “I guess it wasn’t,” she said with a sigh. “Funny how your group all left, except Con, and Lacey’s group all stayed.”

  “Well, not all of them,” Beck said. “A few moved away. But
the ones who were friends, the ones....” The ones from the bus, he didn't say. Couldn’t say. “They stayed.”

  He opened his wrapped sandwich and thought about driving through the storm with Lacey, how scared she’d been. He didn't remember if counselors had been sent to the school when Claudia and Bridget had died, when Mrs. Driscoll had died. If not, there should have been. He didn't think most of the passengers on that bus would have gotten grief counseling otherwise. Maybe that was why they stuck together now, at least Lacey’s group. Beck’s group had drifted away.

  Or run away.

  Okay, okay, now wasn't the time to be thinking about the tragedy. Now was the time to be enjoying time with his mom, with the town, to be looking forward to the fireworks.

  He scanned the crowd as Britt had done, wondering where Lacey was. He figured since her dad had set this up, she would be here, but he hadn’t spotted her yet. Maybe the day was too hot for her.

  He missed her. He admitted, he’d made a point of avoiding her since her overshare in the truck. He had followed up on Lacey’s lead about the water recycling plant, and they had a job for him. The position wasn't longterm, or at least, didn't have to be. The salary would refill the coffers he’d shrunk by making improvements to his mom’s house. The hours were long, and work was hard, which might clear his head of some of the ideas he’d been getting about Lacey Davila.

  But yeah, he missed seeing her, missed talking to her. Britt’s idea of having a mini-reunion sounded good, until he thought about what seeing Lacey would be like, when he wasn't sure of his feelings, or hers, and he didn't know what to do about the feelings he did have. Because she was already going through a lot, an unexpected pregnancy, a break-up, and she didn't need another guy to run out on her.

  This was all temporary for him, this small town guy bit. He couldn't stay here for years, or even months. He needed to make his money back, and then move on to something, and somewhere else.

  So yeah, best to keep his distance from Lacey.

  Which was going to be hard since they were going to Fort Clark Springs next week.

  He’d finished his sandwich, washed down with a watery glass of lemonade from the elementary school booth, when he saw her enter the park with Poppy. He hadn’t seen her in over a week, and her belly appeared to have grown over that time. She wore a halter top that was loose and probably cool, but also the sexiest thing he’d ever seen a woman wear.

  Man, what was wrong with him that he was getting turned on by a pregnant woman?

  Her hair was in a braid down her back, so her smooth skin was exposed, and when she turned her head to laugh at something Poppy had said, his damn heart just turned over in his chest.

  He would not go over to her. He would not. He would stay here with his mom. How would he explain how he’d been avoiding her, anyway? He didn't want to have to do that, so he’d stay in his spot.

  She saw him, and gave a little wave, but didn't approach him, either, heading instead to the lemonade booth.

  “Ah, hell,” he said, and heaved himself out of his chair to go after her.

  “Beck, you’re making a fool of yourself.”

  He wasn't sure if his mother had said those words, or if he just heard the words in his head in her voice. Even money.

  “I wouldn't do that if I were you,” he warned as she pulled out her wallet in line for the lemonade. “At the very least, get the water.”

  She turned her head and smiled up at him, her eyes bright, her cheeks flushed, probably with the heat, but man, she was pretty.

  “Hey, stranger.”

  “The lemonade is just that powdered stuff, and not even enough to give it flavor.”

  “Ah, yeah, but it’s for the school.”

  He should have thought of it that way instead of complaining. “How’ve you been? How was the doctor visit? Everything on track? Did you find out if it’s a boy or a girl?”

  She and Poppy exchanged a mysterious look.

  “What, are you going to do one of those gender reveal parties?”

  Poppy narrowed her eyes at him. “What do you know about gender reveal parties?”

  “Just what I see on social media. Balloons or cake or, I don't know, didn't some guy start a wildfire by shooting something for the reveal?”

  “No gender reveal party,” Lacey said.

  “Well? Are you going to share?” Why did he feel so invested in her pregnancy?”

  “Not yet.”

  Why was she being—? He took her arm and pulled her out of the line, out of the hearing of anyone else. “Is he okay? Healthy?”

  “As far as I know,” she said on a sigh. “I’ll know more after the next visit, okay?”

  He stepped back. “Okay, sure. I just wanted to make sure you were both okay.”

  “Thanks, Beck. I appreciate it. Really, I do.” She slid back into line to join Poppy, who was watching them curiously.

  “Britt is here. She came over to talk to me for a little while,” he said. “I think she really wants to see everyone. She wants me to try to get everyone together tomorrow at The Wheel House. You think you two could come out?”

  She turned her attention to getting change out of her little purse. “Oh. Well. We weren’t really friends, you know. She was a couple of years ahead of us. We’re not who she wants to see.”

  “Well, I’m pretty sure the only one she wants to see is Con, but I don't think he’s coming into town until she’s left. But I told her I’d try, so what do you say? It would be fun, maybe, getting a drink.”

  She gave him a look and put her hand on her stomach.

  “Hanging out,” he amended.

  “Which we do on Sunday, anyway.”

  “She can’t come out Sunday because that’s the day of Mrs. Drexler’s party.”

  “I’ll think about it,” she said. “I don't know if I can actually socialize three days a week. And next week is Fort Clark, right?” She shook her head, her expression deadpan. “Yeah, that’s more socializing than I’ve done the past twelve years put together.”

  “Ha ha very funny.” He took a step backward. “Let me know, okay? Seven o’clock, Wheel House.”

  He returned to his mom’s side, hoping Lacey and Poppy would decide to sit near him. He should have invited them. Instead they sat near Poppy’s parents, where they would probably have a good view of the fireworks.

  People were getting restless as the sun finally set. More people arrived as a group of mostly younger men moved to the designated ignition area with their paper bags full of explosives.

  “Holy crap that’s a lot of fireworks,” Beck muttered. “We’ll be here all night.”

  “Well, we’re not staying past ten, no matter what,” his mother said. “I don't like driving home in the dark.”

  “Well, I’ll be driving, and we’ll be fine, but yeah, I don't want to be here all night, and this looks like it can go on for a while, unless people fire off their fireworks at the same time. Which might be cool.” He sat back in his chair and positioned himself to see the sky. “So what did Lacey tell you about the doctor’s appointment?” He tried to make his voice sound casual but of course his mother would see right through to his motivation.

  “She didn't tell me anything. Just told me she’d gone, and that she had another client after me because she hadn’t made it there the day she had to go to San Angelo.”

  “But nothing about what the doctor said?”

  “No, why?”

  “When I asked her just now, she wouldn't tell me if it was a boy or a girl.”

  His mother brushed her hands together and set the bag of chips on the ground by her chair. “Maybe she figured it was none of your business.”

  “Maybe.” That idea hurt more than it should. “I just thought it was kind of weird she wouldn't say anything. And she and Poppy kind of acted strange. Like they didn't want me to know something.”

  “It really isn’t your business.”

  “I thought we were friends, though.”

  �
�Who knows what that girl is thinking? Maybe she decided to give it up for adoption or something. That might be why she didn't say anything to you.”

  His stomach dropped. He hadn’t felt like this since he saw Riley spin out on the track. Just this deep despair. Of course she might consider that option. Why wouldn't she? The baby’s father wanted nothing to do with her or the baby. She was a single working mom who lived with her father. Beck couldn't imagine her father wouldn't offer to help, but maybe she decided her life would be best without a baby. He couldn't imagine Lacey, who had been left behind by her own mother, would make that decision, but she might.

  Beck couldn't say why that idea upset him so much. He had no right to make a choice for her. She was the one who had to deal with the responsibility, and if she decided she couldn’t, or didn't want to, that was completely her choice.

  He wished he could give her another one.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “HEY, YOU GUYS AREN’T usually here on a Friday.” Hailey came to the picnic table to greet them. “What gives?”

  “Doing a mini high school reunion,” Javi said. “Britt is here from Houston. She’s Millie Drexler’s granddaughter.”

  “Oh, here for the big birthday party.” Hailey smiled. “These guys take up my tables all day on Sunday.”

  “Yeah, they told me,” Britt said with a smile.

  “Hey, where’s Con?” Hailey asked, scanning the group. “And Beck?”

  Lacey and Poppy looked at Hailey, then each other. Lacey didn't want to say that Con probably wasn't coming because of Britt, and Beck might not, because he was probably already thinking about leaving town. He had hired someone to do the roof of the house, because she’d seen the new roofing materials in the yard, and that was his last project before he moved on.

  Where he was going next, she didn't know.

  “We’re hoping they show up,” Britt said brightly. “It wouldn't be the same without them.”

  “Is there anything I can get you? Music’s about to start soon. I think you’ll enjoy it. The band is down from San Angelo. They play some pretty good dance music.”